FR2779753A1 - Motorized retractable road or access way blocking device - Google Patents

Abstract

The retractable access blocking device is of the type which has: a chassis or casing (1) fitted with an upper opening (20) designed to be fitted below ground level; a movable part which move vertically up and down in the casing, and which includes a retractable obstacle (14) and its motorized support; and a complementary guidance systems (15,16) for the casing and movable part. The movable part includes two distinct vertically movable carriages: an upper carriage (13) supporting the retractable obstacle (14); and a lower motorized carriage (4) supporting the motor drive (6,7,8) which ensures the up and down movement of the obstacle. Means (18) located in the casing (1) stop the descent of the upper carriage (13) only and hold it in the low position. The descent of the lower carriage (4) then continues to a position below that of the upper carriage (13), so that they are not in contact.

Description

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  Motorized retractable obstacle, such as road terminal, with

Protected motorization.

  The present invention relates to a retractable motorized obstacle, with a protected motorization system, the expression "retractable obstacle" designating any element of urban furniture retractable in the ground such as, for example, terminal and road pole, electrical connection terminal, terminal lighting, etc. Retractable road terminals with electric actuator remotely controlled by an operator or by an automatic machine are currently commonly used, in particular in urban areas to prohibit or allow access to certain traffic lanes or automobile parking places such as streets, approaches of buildings, market places, campgrounds, docks, service stations, etc. Likewise, elements of street furniture are known such as electrical connection terminals or lighting terminals which are extracted.

  soil only during use.

  A retractable terminal with an electric actuator of this kind is, for example, described in document FR-2,705,979. According to this document, a mobile assembly supporting the terminal itself is housed in a box installed in an excavation of the ground, this mobile assembly comprising, in part

  upper, a support plate of said terminal, and, in the lower part, a moto-

  electric reducer which, when powered, allows, via a transmission, to raise said moving assembly to its highest level where the terminal emerges from the box above ground level, and which, in absence of power supply, authorizes the automatic descent of the crew, by gravity, to its low position where said terminal is retracted inside the box. According to document FR-2.705. 979 above, the transmission of the motorization system comprises at least one deformable linear drive member such as cable, strap, belt or roller chain cooperating with the output shaft of the gearmotor of said motorization system and of which

  At least one of the ends is fixed at a high point of the box.

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  A major drawback of retractable road bollards of this kind, and of the other systems proposed to date, lies in the fact that the bollard itself, the mobile assembly and the motorization system form a compact block, that is to say say an assembly consisting of a single piece, so that the shocks supported by the terminal due to rolling, when the latter is in the low position, are passed on to the motor, which of course has harmful effects on the integrity and proper functioning of the latter and shortens its lifespan. On the other hand, when the bollard placed in the high position of use is damaged or destroyed following an impact, the harmful effects of the latter are most often transmitted to the motorization system, so that it It is necessary to replace the entire motorized mobile assembly, which represents a long and costly intervention. The object of the present invention is in particular to remedy these

significant drawbacks.

  According to the invention, this object is achieved thanks to a retractable obstacle such as a road terminal or other element of urban furniture, comprising, in a manner known per se, a frame or box provided with an upper opening and intended to be embedded in an excavation dug in the ground, a mobile assembly housed with a vertical movement aptitude in this box and comprising the retractable obstacle and its motorized support, this box and this mobile unit being provided with complementary means for guiding the latter, said obstacle retractable being remarkable in that its mobile assembly comprises two separate vertically movable carriages, either: - a first trolley or upper trolley supporting the retractable obstacle proper, and, - a second trolley or lower trolley disposed below the previous one and carrying the motorization device ensuring the upward and downward movements of said retractable obstacle proper, - and in that means housed in the box make it possible to stop the descent of the upper obstacle support trolley only and to support it in position

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  low, while authorizing the continuation of the descent of the lower motorized carriage, these means being, for example, constituted by one or more fixed stops placed in the lower part of the box, at a distance from the bottom of the latter and on the downward path of said carriage obstacle support only, so that when the lower carriage is set in motion from its low position, it lifts the upper carriage and carries it with it upwards, while when said lower carriage is set in motion from its high position, it descends allowing the descent, by gravity, of the upper carriage which stops in the low position as soon as it comes to rest on the stops, while the lower carriage continues its race downwards detaching from said upper carriage. The aforementioned construction provides several important advantages, some of the most important of which are listed below: - In the low position or retracted position of the retractable obstacle, the motor carriage descends lower than the obstacle support carriage and is separated from the latter, so that the shocks resulting from the bearing are supported by the obstacle assembly - obstacle support carriage and transmitted to the fixed stops on which the said assembly rests, but these shocks are not communicated

to the motor organs.

  - In the high position, the shocks resulting from the percussion of the retractable obstacle by a mobile (vehicle or other) can damage or destroy said obstacle, but do not have any damaging consequence on the drive members, so that resetting condition or replacement of the damaged or destroyed obstacle

  causes a reduced intervention time and relatively minimal costs.

  - When it is in the low position, the motor carriage starts empty and then drives, during its upward movement, the obstacle-obstacle support trolley assembly, which thus allows the motor to work effortlessly during starting. - It is possible to use, to ensure the vertical movements of the moving part, a low-voltage motor of 12 or 24 Volts therefore having no

danger in a private or urban environment.

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  - It is possible to mount retractable obstacles of different heights,

  or even of different natures, without specific modification of the motorized trolley.

  - The construction according to the invention makes it possible to adopt all the aesthetics of

  terminals, both in diameters and heights.

  According to another characteristic arrangement, the motorization system comprises a motor pinion or toothed wheel driven by this motor and meshing with a fixed vertical rack disposed in the central part of the box, this rack being dimensioned so that its upper part is

  is housed in a cavity that presents the retractable obstacle when it

this is in the low position.

  Thanks to this arrangement, it is possible to easily obtain different speeds of ascent and descent of the mobile assembly of retractable obstacles.

  using motor sprockets of different diameters.

  The above goals, features and benefits, and more,

  will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and from the attached drawings in

  which: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a first embodiment of a road terminal produced according to the invention and shown in

high position.

  Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of this road terminal shown

in the low position.

  Figure 3 is a plan view and cross section along line 3-3

in Figure 2.

  Figure 4 is a bottom view in cross section along the line

4-4 of figure 2.

  Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a second example of

  realization of the road terminal according to the invention, shown in the high position.

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  Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of this terminal shown in

low position.

  Figure 7 is a sectional view along line 7-7 of Figure 6.

  Reference is made to said drawings to describe two interesting, although in no way limiting, embodiments of the retractable motorized obstacle.

according to the invention.

  Is shown and described below, by way of example, a retractable obstacle consisting of a retractable road terminal, but it is recalled that the invention relates to any type of urban furniture retractable in the ground such as 0 poles, terminals electrical connections, lighting terminals, etc. For this reason, reference is essentially made to a terminal in the remainder of this description, but it is also emphasized that the invention applies, by analogy, to any type of retractable street furniture, such as that which is listed above. at

indicative only.

  This retractable bollard comprises a frame or box 1 intended to be buried in an excavation made in the ground, below the level of the roadway or other area or passage, this box having a height much greater than that of the whole of the mobile equipment that it must be able to contain

  fully when the bollard is in the retracted position.

  The box 1 is open at its upper end and it preferably has a square section (FIGS. 3 and 4), so as to have four vertical walls two by two parallel and a bottom or sole, but it can also have a circular section or any other polygonal section. The bottom of the box is commonly provided with at least one hole 1b for the evacuation of water which could infiltrate said box which is preferably made of stainless steel or any material having the characteristics of rigidity and of

  solidity required for its function.

  In the central part of the bottom 1a, a vertical rack 2 is rigidly fixed. In order to ensure the stability of this rack, the latter is preferably fixed, by welding or otherwise, against a vertical support or mast 3

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  also rigidly fixed, via its lower end, to the bottom of the box, this mast advantageously having a polygonal section,

square or rectangular.

  A motorized carriage designated, as a whole, by the reference 4, is mounted with a vertical movement aptitude along the vertical rack-and-mast 2 assembly 3. This motorized carriage 4 comprises a chassis 5 on which a motor 6 is installed which can advantageously be a low voltage motor 12 or 24 Volts, of the type with two directions of rotation, operating with current

direct, or alternating current.

  The motor 6 can be equipped with an electro-brake allowing its blocking in

high position.

  On the output shaft 7 of this motor 6, or of the reduction gear coupled to it, a pinion 8 or toothed wheel meshing with the rack 2 is fixed.

  The reference 9 in FIG. 4 illustrates a support bearing for the motor shaft 7.

  The chassis 5 of the motorized carriage 4 is provided with a guide slide 10 comprising a vertical groove of U-shaped section, mounted with a sliding ability along the mast 3, this slide sliding through its three faces internal on the three non-toothed faces of the

  rack 2, or on the three faces of the mast not masked by said rack.

  The chassis 5 of the motorized carriage also comprises, at its upper part, a flat base 11 in the central part of which an opening 12 is formed.

  crossed by the rack 2 and the support mast 3.

  The motorized carriage 4 can move vertically along the rack 2, approximately from one end to the other of the latter. Means are provided for stopping the descent of the lower motorized carriage 4, at a distance from the bottom 1a of the box 1, so that it cannot strike said bottom at the end of the downward stroke and park against the latter in the retracting position of the retractable obstacle. According to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, these means are constituted by an interruption of the teeth of the

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  rack 2, at a distance of a few centimeters above the bottom of the box. A second carriage 13 on which the retractable terminal 14 is fixed is

  also housed in the chassis 1 above the motorized carriage 4.

  The obstacle support trolley 13 is provided, on at least two of its opposite sides with slides or guide shoes 15 mounted with sliding ability along two guide columns or vertical slides 16 secured to two opposite vertical walls lc du box 1, said slides comprising, for this purpose, a vertical groove of section corresponding 1o to that of said slides or guide columns. These slides 16 can advantageously be constituted by robust metal tubes of polygonal or circular section or by fixed U-shaped solids, by any means or

  adequate process, against the internal face of the vertical walls 1 c of the box.

  The obstacle support trolley 13 has, in its central part, an empty space E1 extending over its entire height and by means of which it

  is crossed by the rack 2 and the support mast 3.

  The retractable obstacle proper also includes, preferably in its central part, an empty space E2 extending from its base to the vicinity of its top, this passage does not however lead to

  the upper end of said obstacle.

  The body of the retractable obstacle may have a circular or polygonal section (square or other). When it is a road terminal, it can be hollow and executed in any rigid material having robustness

desirable.

  The body of the retractable obstacle 14 may comprise, at its base, a peripheral rim 14a by means of which it is fixed to the obstacle support carriage 13, for example by means of screws. This connection mode has the advantages of allowing standardization of the box 1 and the obstacle support trolley 13, so as to allow the mounting of terminals 14 or other retractable obstacles of different shapes, or even of different nature, for example by

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  for easy and quick replacement, especially when they are

damaged or destroyed.

  At its upper part, the box is partially closed by a cover 17 comprising a central opening 20 of shapes and dimensions corresponding to the cross section of the retractable obstacle, so as to allow passage and

sliding of the latter.

  The upper obstacle support carriage 13 has a flat base oriented parallel to the flat base 11 of the lower motorized carriage 4, with

  which she is called to be in contact.

  The device according to the invention comprises means making it possible to stop the descent of the upper obstacle support carriage 13 and to keep it in position

  low, independently of the lower motorized carriage 4.

  According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, these means consist of one or more fixed stops 18 placed in the lower part of the box 1, at a distance from the bottom 1a of the latter and on the downward trajectory

  of the obstacle support carriage 13 only.

  Advantageously and preferably, at least two fixed stops 18 are arranged, at the same level, on the downward path of the support carriage

obstacle 13.

  These fixed stops 18 are, for example, fixed on two vertical walls

  opposite the box 1, or on the vertical slides 16.

  On the other hand, the stops 18 are fixed at a height much greater than the height of the lower motorized carriage 4, the level o are placed the stops being such that when the upper obstacle support carriage 13 rests on said stops, the top of the bollard in the retracted position is flush with the surrounding surface of the ground, while the motorized trolley is detached from said trolley

  upper and separated from the bottom of the box 1 by an empty space.

  It is specified that the rack 2 and the support mast 3 have a length less than the height of the box 1 in which they are housed. More

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  specifically, this assembly 2-3 is dimensioned so that when the retractable obstacle 14 is in the low position, the upper end of said assembly is at a distance from the top of said retracted obstacle, so that it never comes into contact with the upper wall of the latter, as seen in Figure 2. The motorized carriage 4 is shaped or dimensioned so as not to be stopped by the stops 18, during its descent. Said motorized trolley 4 has, for example, dimensions smaller than those of the obstacle support trolley 13, so as to have no part liable to meet said stops during its downward travel at the end of which it is isolated from said trolley

obstacle support.

  Advantageously, the upper surface of the stops 18 is provided with a damping pad 19, for example constituted by a block or a layer of elastic material (rubber or other elastomer). These shock absorbing pads contribute to the silent operation of the device. They also serve to suppress the noises that vehicle rolling could cause on the

top of the obstacle retracted.

  Similarly, in order to obtain non-noisy operation of the device, either of the surfaces called upon to come into contact with the upper carriage 13 and the lower carriage 4, in particular at the start of the latter's upward stroke, can be provided with damping pads 21 suitably distributed over said surface. FIGS. 5 to 7 show another advantageous embodiment of the retractable motorized obstacle according to the invention. In these figures, the components identical to those of the example described above, bear the

same references.

  According to FIGS. 5 to 7, the motorized lower carriage 4 is connected to the upper obstacle support carriage 13 by means allowing vertical movement of said lower carriage independently of the upper carriage, in the

  lower part of its up and down course.

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  These means comprise vertical rods 22 rigidly fixed to the obstacle support carriage 13, for example on the horizontal upper wall 13a of the latter, using nuts 23 and locknuts 24, and extending towards the bottom from said top wall. These rods pass freely, without excessive play, holes made in the frame of the motorized carriage 4, for example in the flat upper base 11 of the latter, so that said lower carriage 4

can slide on said rods.

  The lower ends of the rods 22 are provided with stop heads 25 of dimensions greater than the diameter of the holes allowing the sliding of said rods. Very advantageously, a spring 26 acting in compression is arranged around the lower portion of each rod 22, this spring being wedged, by means of its opposite ends, on the one hand, against the head 25 of the rod and , on the other hand, against the underside of the flat base

  11 or other part of the motorized carriage frame 4.

  The length of the springs 26 is such that when they are in the relaxed state and the motorized carriage 4 occupies its lowest position, a space

  is located between said motorized carriage and the obstacle support carriage 13.

  The vertical rods 22 are, for example, placed on a diagonal of the

  upper wall 1 3a and the flat base 11, respectively (Figure 7).

  According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, the fixed stops are constituted by the top of balusters 18 'rising from the bottom or sole of the box 1. These balusters are, for example, constituted by irons or metal profiles having a U-shaped section and fixed on the lower portion of the vertical slides 16, so as to wrap the latter on

a portion of their periphery.

  In the low position, the obstacle support carriage 13 comes to rest on the top of the balusters 18 ', so that the loads resulting from the rolling are transferred to the bottom or sole la, via said balusters. This construction therefore has improved robustness compared to the

former.

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  The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 offers additional advantageous advantages compared to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, these advantages being encountered during the descent or retraction phase of

  the bollard or other retractable obstacle.

  When the motorized carriage 4 descends, the upper carriage 13 descends with it by gravity. If, as a result of fouling of the surfaces in contact with the slides 16 and the slides 15, the terminal support carriage 13 stops, while the motorized carriage 4 continues to descend. Initially, it will then compress the springs 26, then it will exert traction on the rods 22, in the direction of the bottom, causing the terminal support carriage 13 to descend. The upper carriage 13 therefore does not risk remaining immobilized in a position

partial retraction.

  On the other hand, when the upper carriage 13 comes to bear on the top of the stops 18 ′ and stops at the end of its downward travel, the motorized carriage 4 continues its downward travel; it slides first on the rods 22 and then comes to a standstill in the low position, after having compressed the springs 26. It is therefore understandable that these springs contribute to damping the energy stored by the motorized carriage, during its downward travel, in thus allowing a smooth stop of said motorized carriage, while always limiting to the same dimension

its stop position.

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Claims (14)

  1. - Retractable motorized obstacle, for example road terminal, with protected motorization system, of the type comprising: - a chassis or box (1) provided with an upper opening (20) and intended to be embedded in an excavation dug in floor; - a mobile assembly housed with an aptitude for vertical movement in this box and comprising the retractable obstacle (14) and its motorized support; - complementary guide means (15, 16) which are provided, respectively, said box and said movable assembly; characterized in that the mobile assembly comprises two separate vertically movable carriages, either: - an upper carriage (13) supporting the retractable obstacle proper (14), and,   - a motorized lower carriage (4) supporting the motorization device (6-   7-8) ensuring the upward and downward movements of said obstacle retractable;   and in that means (18 or 18 ′) housed in the box make it possible to stop the descent of the upper obstacle support trolley (13) only and to support it in the low position, while allowing the descent to continue of the lower motorized carriage (4), moving it away from said carriage   upper (13), in the lower position of said moving assembly.   2. - retractable motorized obstacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the means making it possible to stop the descent of the obstacle support carriage (13) and to support it in the low position, are constituted by one or more fixed stops (18 ) placed in the lower part of the box (1), away from the bottom (la) -13- 2779753   of the latter and on the downward path of said obstacle support carriage (13) only.   3. - retractable motorized obstacle according to one of claims 1 or 2,   characterized in that the means making it possible to stop the descent of the obstacle support carriage (13) and to support it in the low position, consist of the top of balusters (18 ') housed in the lower part of the box (1) and rising from the bottom (la) of the latter, the top of said columns being placed on the downward path of said obstacle support carriage (13) only.   4. - retractable motorized obstacle according to any one of claims   1 to 3, characterized in that the motorization system fitted to the motorized lower carriage (4) comprises a driving pinion (8) meshing with a fixed vertical rack (2) disposed in the central part of the box (1), said lower carriage (4), the upper carriage (13) and the retractable obstacle (14) comprising, in their central part, empty spaces allowing passage of this rack.   5. - retractable motorized obstacle according to claim 4, characterized in that the rack (2) has a height such that in the retracted position of the retractable obstacle (14) its upper end is placed at a distance from the   upper wall of said retractable obstacle.   6. - retractable motorized obstacle according to claim 1, characterized in that one or other of the surfaces of the upper carriage (13) and the lower carriage (4) called to be in contact, in particular during the upward stroke of   this last, is provided with shock absorbing pads (21). -14- 2779753   7. - retractable motorized obstacle according to one of claims 2 or 3,   characterized in that the upper face of the stop (s) (18) is provided with a shock absorber pad (19).   8. - retractable motorized obstacle according to any one of claims 1   7, characterized in that the means making it possible to stop the descent of the motorized lower carriage (4), at a distance from the bottom (la) of the box (1), are constituted by stop heads (25) equipping the lower end of vertical rods (22) integral with the upper obstacle support carriage (13) and on which can   0o slide said motorized lower carriage (4).   9. - retractable motorized obstacle according to claim 8, characterized in that a spring (26) acting in compression is disposed around the lower portion of the vertical rods (22), these springs being interposed between the heads   IS stop (25) of said vertical rods and the lower motorized carriage (4).   10. - retractable motorized obstacle according to any one of claims   4 to 7, characterized in that the means for stopping the descent of the lower motorized carriage (4) at a distance from the bottom (la) of the box (1), consist of an interruption of the teeth of the rack (2), a distance of a few centimeters above said bottom.   11. - retractable motorized obstacle according to any one of claims   1 to 7, characterized in that the obstacle support carriage (13) is provided, at its periphery, with at least two slides (15) mounted with a sliding capacity along two vertical slides or guide columns ( 16),   for example fixed against two opposite vertical walls (lc) of the box (1). -15- 2779753   12. - retractable motorized obstacle according to claims 3 and 11,   characterized in that the columns (18 ') for stopping and supporting the upper carriage (13) consist of U-shaped profiles fixed on the slides vertical (16).   13. - Motorized retractable obstacle according to any one of   claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the motorized carriage (4) is provided,   in its central part, a slide (10) mounted with a sliding ability on the toothed surfaces of the rack or of a mast (3)   against which said rack is rigidly fixed.   14. - retractable motorized obstacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the surfaces of the upper carriage (13) and the lower carriage (4) called   be in contact with each other, are flat and parallel.